Show 407, January 9, 2021: Christopher Buchanan, Winemaker & Proprietor at Terragena Vineyard, Humboldt County Part One

Chris Buchanan of Terragena Vineyard“Are you fascinated by the margin between art and science? That wild edge where creativity and beauty sprout? That’s what wine is for Winemaker and Proprietor Christopher Buchanan at Terragena Vineyards (Craft Wine certified) in Northern California. He believes both creating and enjoying wine is an intrinsically personal and complex experience.”

“Chris explores and strives to understand the complex components, step by step, while building Terragena, a completely off-grid, sustainable vineyard and winery located in the rugged hills of Humboldt County. Terragena partners with small, family-owned vineyards to produce wine that has been tenderly loved from start to finish.”

“Terragena is dedicated to building a strong network of small producers committed to eco-friendly methods who will succeed as they have, while also nurturing an experimental Pinot Noir vineyard in a unique, viticulturally unexplored location.” The winery is completely solar powered and the water source for irrigation is rainwater stored in an on-site pond.

Terragena Vineyards produces small lots of hand-crafted Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, Rose of Pinot Noir, single vineyard Pinot Noirs, Barbera and Nebbiolo. Craft wineries operate on thin margins. Best to source their fine wines directly from the Winery so more of the purchase price stays with Terragena.

Chris Buchanan pulls the cork on Terragena Vineyard for us.

Show 407, January 9, 2021: Christopher Buchanan, Winemaker & Proprietor at Terragena Vineyard, Humboldt County Part Two

Chris Buchanan of Terragena Vineyard“Are you fascinated by the margin between art and science? That wild edge where creativity and beauty sprout? That’s what wine is for Winemaker and Proprietor Christopher Buchanan at Terragena Vineyards (Craft Wine certified) in Northern California. He believes both creating and enjoying wine is an intrinsically personal and complex experience.”

“Chris explores and strives to understand the complex components, step by step, while building Terragena, a completely off-grid, sustainable vineyard and winery located in the rugged hills of Humboldt County. Terragena partners with small, family-owned vineyards to produce wine that has been tenderly loved from start to finish.”

“Terragena is dedicated to building a strong network of small producers committed to eco-friendly methods who will succeed as they have, while also nurturing an experimental Pinot Noir vineyard in a unique, viticulturally unexplored location.” The winery is completely solar powered and the water source for irrigation is rainwater stored in an on-site pond.

Terragena Vineyards produces small lots of hand-crafted Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, Rose of Pinot Noir, single vineyard Pinot Noirs, Barbera and Nebbiolo. Craft wineries operate on thin margins. Best to source their fine wines directly from the Winery so more of the purchase price stays with Terragena.

“The Terragena Vineyard team, headed by winemaker and vineyard proprietor Chris Buchanan, crafts limited production wines with the same spirit of adventure that first led them to build their off-grid vineyard in Humboldt County. Chris was inspired by the ruggedly beautiful hills, forests, and meadows around area to create wine that expresses these characteristics of the land without any added fluff or distraction. Terragena is a latin word meaning “born of the earth.” Terragena is dedicated to sustainably expressing the unique characteristics of their estate vineyard as well as their diverse partner vineyards by nurturing the wine from the earth to the bottle.”

Chris Buchanan rejoins us as he pulls the cork on Terragena Vineyard’s Nebbiolo from Lost Coast’s Dragon Vineyard for us.

Show 360, February 15, 2020: Winemaker Dave Powell, Powell & Son, Barossa Valley, South Australia

Dave Powell of Powell and Son winesPowell & Son wines are sourced from various vineyard sites throughout Australia’s the Barossa and Eden Valleys. Dave and Callum Powell (father and son) employ traditional, minimalist winemaking techniques to produce a wine that speaks of the place that it was grown. Their inspiration for winemaking having its roots in France’s Rhone Valley, Powell & Son red wines are made from the classic Rhone varietals: Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro and its whites: Roussanne, Marsanne as well as Eden Valley Riesling.

Dave was instrumental in preserving from replanting acres of irreplaceable old vine plantings in the Barossa Valley dating from the mid-1800’s. He actually cleaned up some of this vineyard property himself in exchange for the highly-desirable grapes.

“The Powell philosophy is that a great wine is made in the vineyard and so Callum and Dave work the vineyards they use on their own in the Winter and Spring seasons, then in Autumn pick the fruit and vinify using old concrete ferment vats and basket pressing – producing unique and expressive wines from their most prized vineyards throughout the Barossa.”

Dave Powell joins us to pull the cork on Powell & Son.

Show 345, October 19, 2019: Alloro Vineyard, Sherwood, OR with Proprietor & Vineyard Manager David Nemarnik Part Two

David Nemarnik of Alloro VineyardAlloro Vineyard brings Old-World allure to Oregon. Nestled in the south-facing slopes of the Chehalem Mountains just 30 minutes outside of Portland, the 70-acre Alloro estate is a bucolic homage to timeless tradition. From the iconic Italian farmhouse and culinary gardens to the heirloom sheep that graze the vineyard cover crops, and herd of Hereford cattle, the winery and vineyard is built upon the sustainable holistic agricultural practices, respectful stewardship, and intense passion for food and wine of David Nemarnik, Alloro’s founder and vineyard manager.”

“Alloro makes wine exclusively from 33 acres of estate vineyards perched on sloping hillsides in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. The Vineyard is dry-farmed, and tended with the lightest possible touch. L.I.V.E.-certified, Salmon-Safe agricultural practices strive to promote natural biodiversity and improve sustainability every year. The site’s Laurelwood series of soils—dark brown loess topsoil layered on brick-red decomposed basalt Jory soils that act as a sponge—offer optimal fertility and moisture for the micro-climate.”

Alloro produces three estate Pinot Noirs, Chardonnay, Riesling, Rose of Pinot Noir, and Vino Nettare—a dessert wine made from Muscat and Riesling.”

Proprietor David Nemarnik continues.

Show 247, November 11, 2017: Kyle Meyer, Co-Proprietor, Wine Exchange, Santa Ana

Kyle Meyer of Wine ExchangeIt’s typically a conundrum in selecting the wines for the Thanksgiving feast that really pair well with all the diverse trimmings. You can’t always please all palates but you give it a go.

Kyle suggests that sparkling wines carry deliciously through the entire Thanksgiving feast. Don’t forget Prosecco and Sparkling Shiraz from Australia. Other thoughts include a half-dry Riesling, a California or Oregon Pinot Noir, and French Beaujolais.

Our upbeat resident wine expert, Kyle Meyer of Wine Exchange, joins us with his accessible, informed perspective. Cheers!

Show 173, May 28, 2016: Kyle Meyer, Co-Proprietor, Wine Exchange, Santa Ana

Kyle Meyer of Wine ExchangeFrance’s Alsace region produces 18 per cent of the total French production of still white AOC wines. Our resident wine authority Kyle Meyer of Wine Exchange is here to give us an overview of the prominent region. Kyle will also chat with us about how wine professionals navigate their way through trade tastings.

Alsace is located on France’s eastern border and on the west bank of the upper Rhine, adjacent to Germany and Switzerland. In 1962, centuries of winemaking excellence were rewarded when Alsace received AOC status.

Alsace produces 10 per cent of all Riesling consumed worldwide. It is regarded as one of the finest white wines in the world and widely considered to reach its peak form in Alsace.